Rental Info

Rental Fact Sheet Rental Costs Client Contract Parking FAQ

Rental Fact Sheet

The George Peabody Library accommodates wedding ceremonies, wedding receptions, private dinners, holiday parties and lectures. If you have a different type of event, please call the office for availability.
The library is available for rental after 5 p.m. Mondays through Thursday, Fridays after 3pm, Saturdays and anytime Sundays.
The library will accommodate 200 seated guests and 400 standing. With a dance floor, the space will accommodate up to 170 seated.
No birdseed, rice, glitter, sparklers, or confetti may be thrown on the steps or inside.
The library provides a choice of two caterers.
Food and beverages may not be taken outside the library.
No red wine allowed in the Exhibit Gallery.
No potted plants or trees.
No helium balloons are allowed inside the library.
No open flames, candles, other than sterno are permitted in the library.
No kegs of beer are allowed in the library.
The Library is accessible to people with disabilities in the adjoining Peabody Institute.
Parking arrangements are on own, valet parking is suggested.
The library is air-conditioned and humidity-controlled.
A specific date may be held without a deposit and contract for only one week.
A date will be considered confirmed only upon receipt of a signed contract and a deposit of one-half of both the room rental and service fee.
Musical entertainment must be approved by the Events Office, due to the proximity of the Peabody Concert Hall.
No amplified music permitted in the Exhibit Gallery.
All buildings of the Peabody Institute are smoke-free environments.
Guests and vendors including photographers are not allowed in the stacks.
Musical entertainment, designers, decorators, florists, and photographers must be approved by Linda Blake.

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Rental Costs

Private & corporate: $6,000
Non-Profit Organizations: $4,800
Seasonal discounts are available from January and February. Please contact the office for special rates.
If you are a Johns Hopkins Division/Department/Full Time Employee/Student or Alumni, please contact the Events Office for Rental Information
Ceremony fee: $600
Rental of the Library includes tables & chairs
Because the Library is a working public library, events begin at 8pm Tuesday-Friday, and anytime Saturday through Monday. This allows for a 3 hour set up time before the start of each event.
All functions must end at midnight.
A fee of $500.00 will be charged for each hour over the 4 hours allowed per event
Cancellations are refundable only if there is at least 90 days advance notice. The amount refunded is the deposit less 50%.
As an alternative, Consider Historic Houses of Hopkins

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Parking

The George Peabody Library does not have its own parking garage. Though the Peabody Institute does have a parking garage in their facilites, it is not available for private events. We suggest valet parking. Contact information for our suggested valet services are as follows:

Jay's Valet: 410-963-3557

Courtesy Parking: 410-593-9990

RiteWay: 410.363.0993

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Frequently Asked Questions:

When can I speak to a live person?

If you prefer not to leave an email or phone message during the week, please call the Private Events Office at 443-840-9585.

When can I visit the library?

If you would like a walk-through with the Private Events staff, please email gplprivateevents@jhu.edu for appointment times. Set times are Mondays 9-5 pm and Saturdays when we have a scheduled event.

Does Peabody Library have liability insurance?

The Peabody Library does not have liability insurance so clients need to either purchase an additional policy for the day of their event (i.e. from wedsafe.com) or add Peabody Library to their home insurance policy for at least $1,000,000. Vendors that we have not worked with previously must provide certificates of insurance that meet our specifications. We reserve the right to change our requirements for any event. Certain events will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis to determine if additional insurance is necessary.

Peabody Library reccomends the following insurance:

Urmia Tulip Plus

www.urmia.org/tulip - Use code 32081258

Does Peabody allow some things to be brought in early and stored for a day or two?

Because Peabody is a public library, early deliveries are not permitted.

How much time is allowed for set-up?

A three hour set-up time is included in the rental price.

Are candles allowed?

Candles are not permitted in the library. Battery operated candles are available through the caterer.

Is smoking permitted?

Smoking is not allowed in any of the Peabody facilities.

Are there restrictions on plants?

Only fresh cut flowers and fake plants are allowed. No potted plants are permitted in the Exhibition gallery or the Peabody Library.

Are there restrictions on small particles such as birdseed, confetti, or glitter?

No small particles are allowed in the Peabody Library.

Where can my guests park?

The Peabody Library recommends valet parking.

Do you allow Bar/Bah Mitzvahs??

The Peabody Library does not host Bar/Bah Mitzvahs. Wedding ceremonies and receptions, Corporate Parties, and Holiday parties are permitted. We suggest contacting our sister property, Evergreen Museum & Library at privateeventsoffice@jhu.edu. Rental of the Library includes a three-hour set-up time, a cocktail hour, three hour event/dinner, one library manager, two staff workers, and one security guard. It also includes the rental of Peabody owned table and chairs.

May I bring in my own caterer?

You may choose from our list of exceptional caterers.

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